Wind Therapy - A.J. Downey Page 0,62

a sparkling bar glass of Coke to my girl who took it and smiled up at the other woman.

“Thanks.”

I stood up and let them catch up, Little Bird bursting with questions about the trip. Dump Truck was on his phone by the bar and I raised an eyebrow. He lifted his chin and flashed the screen at me, putting in an order for food at the bomb-ass mom-and-pop Italian place across 16th in front of the club.

“Thanks, man. Round everybody up, bring food into the chapel, we got a lotta ground to cover.”

“What you want?” he asked me. I shook my head. I was hungry, but I was also tapped out on decision-making.

“Just surprise me,” I said.

He nodded gravely and shot back, “I got you.”

“Thanks.”

I went into the chapel and dropped wearily into the seat at the head of the table, leaning back heavily and closing my eyes for a minute.

“Hey, Mav.” I looked up and Deacon leaned in the doorway, holding up a beer.

“You’re saving my life, brother,” I said, and he came in, setting down a coaster and the pint glass atop it in front of me.

“Soul seems heavy,” he commented slyly. “You alright?”

“Naw, man. I’m not. I’m really not,” I said. “But in the interest of not repeating myself, I’d rather wait until everyone is here.”

“I got you,” he said and gripped my shoulder as he stood up. “Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it.”

I nodded and drank some of my beer, washing some of the lingering road dust out of my mouth and down my throat. God, there was nothing better than a cold beer after a long, hot ride. So fucking good.

I rested a while, waiting for the stragglers to arrive and for the food to get here. Little Bird brought me a fresh beer and some dinner, and I raised an eyebrow.

“She’s out cold. Once you guys get started, I’ll wake her up and make sure she eats.”

I nodded and said, “Thanks, beautiful.”

Her lips quirked and she leaned a hip against the table, crossing her arms lightly over her stomach.

“What happened out there, Mav?”

“That’s something for her to tell,” I said with a reluctant sigh, knowing that my zaychik wouldn’t say shit.

“What can you tell me?” she asked.

“Nothing,” I said finally and looked up. “Can I ask you something? A favor…”

“After all you and the club have done for me?” she countered. “You can ask me anything.”

“Just look out for her. I want her to stay but she needs some… encouragement.”

“You mean try to get Dahlia to soften up toward her?” she asked me and gave me a knowing look.

I nodded slowly and said, “If you can.”

Kestrel rolled her eyes and threw up her hands, bringing them down with a light slap against her denim-clad thighs.

“You aren’t asking much with that one, are you?” she asked wryly. When I didn’t answer, she sighed. “The only person Dahlia even comes close to listening to is you, but I’ll do what I can.”

“Thanks.”

“Have you tried talking to Dahlia?” she asked.

I swore softly. “It’s been kind of low on my priority list,” I confessed. I needed to, though. I mean, I really needed to.

“And that can’t change anytime soon?” Her voice was gentle, no accusation to it but I felt accused all the same and rightfully so. Dahlia was my best friend and even though we were both stubborn mules, the silence of the last couple weeks was long, even for us.

“You made your point, Little Bird,” I said with a fond smile. Her smile was small but sweet in return. She swept her hair over her shoulder and pushed off the table.

She had one seriously fine ass, and I helped myself to the view as she walked out like I had a million times before, only this time… I felt a tad guilty for it when my thoughts drifted back to Marisol.

That was new. I’d never had the occasion to feel guilty just for looking before.

I puzzled it out as I unwrapped my sandwich and waited for the guys to start filtering in with theirs.

Pretty soon, we were all seated except for Derry, who was waiting out in the bar for us to pull him in.

“Right, to order.” I popped the gavel once and let it fall to the table with a clatter, to go for my sandwich. Before I took another bite, I got into the first order of business.

“Derry’s been given the blessing from National to pull a lateral move into our ranks. Let’s